NEWCASTLE are reportedly eyeing up a January swoop to sign Barcelona’s out-of-favour defender Clement Lenglet.
The Magpies have cash to spend having recently been the subject of a high-profile £300million takeover from a Saudi-led consortium.
And despite boss Steve Bruce poised to be axed, club chiefs are putting together a shortlist of potential recruits for upcoming transfer windows.
According to Sport, the Toon are keen to bring France international Lenglet, 26, to St James’ Park in the New Year.
Lenglet has fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp this term having started just once out of Barca’s opening eight LaLiga games.
Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo have been preferred ahead of the ex-Sevilla ace to partner Gerard Pique at the back.
The Spanish news outlet states that Newcastle have already asked about his availability as they look to sign a left-footed central defender.
And Lenglet is seen as an attractive option as he would raise the level of defence at Newcastle, while he could be sold on the cheap due to Barcelona’s financial difficulties.
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It has also been said that Newcastle are only prepared to invest little in January before going all out next summer.
Everton and West Ham were linked with a loan move for Lenglet in July, but it is Newcastle that are now understood to be in pole position.
And Lenglet isn’t the only member of Barcelona’s squad that Newcastle are believed to be targeting.
Former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is claimed to be of interest in the winter transfer window.
Meanwhile Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged Newcastle to sign the likes of Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling and Declan Rice.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “I’d be going to try and make like a mad couple of signings, like huge, that I think would be gettable.
“I’d be looking at people like Raheem Sterling. Raheem Sterling’s not playing regularly, I’d go ask him the question. I’d go and ask Declan Rice, ‘What’s going on’.
“Them two would be the first two on my list, and I’d go all out to go and get them. And then I’d be trying to get people like Jesse Lingard, who’s in and around the Man United squad.’
“It’s unrealistic until you ask the question. I’d be going out there to get answers from these types of players and then you work your way down your list.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
